OB vs Midwife

I am newly pregnant with number 2 and am considering using a midwife this time around. First pregnancy was fairly straight forward. There was a concern at the 20 week scan but it turned out to be nothing and I had high amniotic fluid. I had an all natural birth and a nurse that was amazing and stayed with me the whole time. I want to make sure I have the same experience and am wondering if this is something you would get with a midwife. Do they stay with you all through labour? Should I use an ob due to the small concerns before? Any advice is appreciated!

I am newly pregnant with number 2 and am considering using a midwife this time around. First pregnancy was fairly straight forward. There was a concern at the 20 week scan but it turned out to be nothing and I had high amniotic fluid. I had an all natural birth and a nurse that was amazing and stayed with me the whole time. I want to make sure I have the same experience and am wondering if this is something you would get with a midwife. Do they stay with you all through labour? Should I use an ob due to the small concerns before? Any advice is appreciated!

I am a FTM- my midwife is one of 4 in the practice and has assured me that I will have one with me the entire time- if not two if they are not busy with another delivery. They also have secondary staff (mainly doulas) who will be there if they can't have two midwives. I like the idea of having someone there for me and someone there for the baby as well. The midwives will also do the follow up care in my home if requested!

I am a FTM- my midwife is one of 4 in the practice and has assured me that I will have one with me the entire time- if not two if they are not busy with another delivery. They also have secondary staff (mainly doulas) who will be there if they can't have two midwives. I like the idea of having someone there for me and someone there for the baby as well. The midwives will also do the follow up care in my home if requested!

I had an OB with my first and had a terrible experirence. This time around I chose a midwife. There will be 2 of them at my birth, they follow me right from the start, seeing me every month (more frequent near the end), my apts are 45 mins each. Lots of time to talk, ask questions, take a detailed history etc. I have my MW's pager number and can call 24/7. I was in the ER last weekend, and didn;t call because it ended up I was not in pre term labour, she told me later that she should have been there because she can speed up the wait and process in Emerge. ( i should have paged). 3 hours after I give birth if all is well, I can go home, and my MW follows up with me at home. If I end up with certain complications I get turned over to an OB but the MW still stays in the picture. The best of both worlds. I am in Ottawa, Ontario.

I had an OB with my first and had a terrible experirence. This time around I chose a midwife. There will be 2 of them at my birth, they follow me right from the start, seeing me every month (more frequent near the end), my apts are 45 mins each. Lots of time to talk, ask questions, take a detailed history etc. I have my MW's pager number and can call 24/7. I was in the ER last weekend, and didn;t call because it ended up I was not in pre term labour, she told me later that she should have been there because she can speed up the wait and process in Emerge. ( i should have paged). 3 hours after I give birth if all is well, I can go home, and my MW follows up with me at home. If I end up with certain complications I get turned over to an OB but the MW still stays in the picture. The best of both worlds. I am in Ottawa, Ontario.

I have a genuine love for the midwifery services here!! This I my third pregnancy under the care of a midwife and I would not have it any other way... I hated the fact that while I was under the care of one ob, baby was born into the hands of a stranger who I had never met never had the chance to get to know ... I love my midwife! :D

I have a genuine love for the midwifery services here!! This I my third pregnancy under the care of a midwife and I would not have it any other way... I hated the fact that while I was under the care of one ob, baby was born into the hands of a stranger who I had never met never had the chance to get to know ... I love my midwife! :D

I had two ob births and went with a midwife this time. I love having a midwife. I will have the on-call midwife with me thru my entire labour as well as a secondary midwife. They stay with me for two-four hours after the birth at which time I am able to leave the hospital. I love having access to them 24/7. Twice I've called now and they've been super awesome about getting test results for me ASAP. Every procedure and intervention is my choice. This time we were allowed to opt out of having the gestational diabetes test done. With an ob you don't get options like that usually. We've also opted out of having the ointment put in baby's eyes after birth. I'm allowed to keep my placenta with no issues which is really nice.

I had two ob births and went with a midwife this time. I love having a midwife. I will have the on-call midwife with me thru my entire labour as well as a secondary midwife. They stay with me for two-four hours after the birth at which time I am able to leave the hospital. I love having access to them 24/7. Twice I've called now and they've been super awesome about getting test results for me ASAP. Every procedure and intervention is my choice. This time we were allowed to opt out of having the gestational diabetes test done. With an ob you don't get options like that usually. We've also opted out of having the ointment put in baby's eyes after birth. I'm allowed to keep my placenta with no issues which is really nice.

I had gestational diabetes and high blood pressure during my first pregnancy. This time around, I contacted a midwife, just to see if they'd take me. I had no problems. They are monitoring everything the same way an ob would and, if something comes up, she'll consult with the appropriate specialist.

I've only had one appointment so far, but it was amazing. She took the time to talk to me about my history and any concerns I might have. She explained how things would go. (Yeah, she'll be there the whole time. If she can't be there, one of the other midwives will be, but I'll have a chance to meet the others before delivery so no stranger this time.) I would absolutely recommend a midwife.

I had gestational diabetes and high blood pressure during my first pregnancy. This time around, I contacted a midwife, just to see if they'd take me. I had no problems. They are monitoring everything the same way an ob would and, if something comes up, she'll consult with the appropriate specialist.

I've only had one appointment so far, but it was amazing. She took the time to talk to me about my history and any concerns I might have. She explained how things would go. (Yeah, she'll be there the whole time. If she can't be there, one of the other midwives will be, but I'll have a chance to meet the others before delivery so no stranger this time.) I would absolutely recommend a midwife.

Not sure which province you are from but in Ontario you don't have to pay for midwifes. Also I was told by my midwife that if I start out with her and at some point in my pregnancy develop into a case where extra care is needed- that I get to keep her and get an ob!!!This is my third pregnancy and I have been happy each time with a midwife. You don't have to deliver in your house they do go to the hospital ... And yes you will have someone with you the whole time (if not your primary midwife then your secondary). Hope I helped!

Not sure which province you are from but in Ontario you don't have to pay for midwifes. Also I was told by my midwife that if I start out with her and at some point in my pregnancy develop into a case where extra care is needed- that I get to keep her and get an ob!!!This is my third pregnancy and I have been happy each time with a midwife. You don't have to deliver in your house they do go to the hospital ... And yes you will have someone with you the whole time (if not your primary midwife then your secondary). Hope I helped!

@musicbaby. They don't cost $$$ in Alberta!!! They changed it a couple years ago and it's now covered under Alberta health! The only problem is, it's next to impossible to actually get one as they are in high demand and there aren't many here. :(

@musicbaby. They don't cost $$$ in Alberta!!! They changed it a couple years ago and it's now covered under Alberta health! The only problem is, it's next to impossible to actually get one as they are in high demand and there aren't many here. :(

Apply at EVERY midwifery you can! Where abouts in Alberta are you? When we first found out, I applied and was turned down by everyone because they were all booked up, I however asked to be put on the waiting list. I got a call about 6 weeks later saying that they had an opening if I was still interested!!!! My first appointment is at the end of the month!

Apply at EVERY midwifery you can! Where abouts in Alberta are you? When we first found out, I applied and was turned down by everyone because they were all booked up, I however asked to be put on the waiting list. I got a call about 6 weeks later saying that they had an opening if I was still interested!!!! My first appointment is at the end of the month!

I'm in AB too and didn't even try to get one at the start of this pregnancy because of the shortage. Changed my mind after a few visits with my OB, applied to everyone I could find, and someone actually had an opening for me! Sent me over the moon! I'm now at 37 weeks and really looking forward to giving a home water birth a shot. Any complications, my midwife will deliver me in the hospital instead. If offered, put yourself on any waiting lists they may have. Women do have to drop out because of complications. You could still get lucky!

I'm in AB too and didn't even try to get one at the start of this pregnancy because of the shortage. Changed my mind after a few visits with my OB, applied to everyone I could find, and someone actually had an opening for me! Sent me over the moon! I'm now at 37 weeks and really looking forward to giving a home water birth a shot. Any complications, my midwife will deliver me in the hospital instead. If offered, put yourself on any waiting lists they may have. Women do have to drop out because of complications. You could still get lucky!

It really depends on your province's regulations. I waited a whole 2 weeks to call the midwife office & was already put on a waiting list. Luckily I had my 1st appt this week. I like the more personalized care you get & more input with what medical intervention you receive or not. Get on the list ASAP & discuss your options available to you.

It really depends on your province's regulations. I waited a whole 2 weeks to call the midwife office & was already put on a waiting list. Luckily I had my 1st appt this week. I like the more personalized care you get & more input with what medical intervention you receive or not. Get on the list ASAP & discuss your options available to you.

@bmt... Just wanted to say thanks for letting me know midwives were covered here. I got in with a midwife and I'm really excited. I was dreading to to my ob so this just makes my pregnancy. So thank you!!!!

@bmt... Just wanted to say thanks for letting me know midwives were covered here. I got in with a midwife and I'm really excited. I was dreading to to my ob so this just makes my pregnancy. So thank you!!!!

@musicbaby, I lucked out and got my preferred midwifery practice in Edmonton as well- Lucina Midwives. When I told my doc that I wanted to go the midwife route, she was clearly not impressed, and basically said she was washing her hands of me. Have you got the most recent issue of Birth Issues magazine? There was a really interesting article about a documentary by U of A med students about bridging the gap between midwives and doctors. As students, they said they didn't learn anything about them (which could be why yours said they still cost $$), and wanted to change that for physicians in the future. There's a screening of the documentary at the University on the 30th of this month. I'm totally going, to hear their perspective!

@musicbaby, I lucked out and got my preferred midwifery practice in Edmonton as well- Lucina Midwives. When I told my doc that I wanted to go the midwife route, she was clearly not impressed, and basically said she was washing her hands of me. Have you got the most recent issue of Birth Issues magazine? There was a really interesting article about a documentary by U of A med students about bridging the gap between midwives and doctors. As students, they said they didn't learn anything about them (which could be why yours said they still cost $$), and wanted to change that for physicians in the future. There's a screening of the documentary at the University on the 30th of this month. I'm totally going, to hear their perspective!

Midwives are so much better than OB gyns! In most countries around the world you only see an obgyn if you have a complicated pregnancy, midwifes are for normal births. In Quebec midwives are completely covered under healthcare, but there is a waiting list. I called as soon as my test turned positive so I got in fairly quickly! Here I have a choice to give birth at home, the birthing centre, or the hospital! At the beginning of the pregnancy I was seeing an ob as well because of concerns with a past miscarriage. I hated seeing the OB! I would wait 2 hours for my appointment and then see her for 10 minutes or less and shed try to rush me out of her office as soon as possible!! They really don't give a crap about their patients. With the midwife there was no waiting for the appointment, you go in and she let's you stay and talk with her as long as you want. They care about you as much as they care about the baby. Once my appointment went on for 2 hours because I was going through personal problems, it was like a therapy session, I love my midwife she's like my fairy godmother! Lol. My secondary midwife is great as well!

Midwives are so much better than OB gyns! In most countries around the world you only see an obgyn if you have a complicated pregnancy, midwifes are for normal births. In Quebec midwives are completely covered under healthcare, but there is a waiting list. I called as soon as my test turned positive so I got in fairly quickly! Here I have a choice to give birth at home, the birthing centre, or the hospital! At the beginning of the pregnancy I was seeing an ob as well because of concerns with a past miscarriage. I hated seeing the OB! I would wait 2 hours for my appointment and then see her for 10 minutes or less and shed try to rush me out of her office as soon as possible!! They really don't give a crap about their patients. With the midwife there was no waiting for the appointment, you go in and she let's you stay and talk with her as long as you want. They care about you as much as they care about the baby. Once my appointment went on for 2 hours because I was going through personal problems, it was like a therapy session, I love my midwife she's like my fairy godmother! Lol. My secondary midwife is great as well!

I've never had a midwife but my OB was not bad. Sure I had to wait up to 2 hrs for my app if it was in the afternoon but if i went in the morning i was in then out! He seemed to care and could prescribe me medications (hemeroids) and give me a referral to a bf clinic. I'm not sure if a midwife can do that. I've never even heard of a midwife...I'll have to look into it. From what people are saying they sound good. But I did have a good experience with my OB....even though like someone mentioned I didn't like having a stranger deliver my baby (my dr was on holiday). Oooo so what are you going to do?

I've never had a midwife but my OB was not bad. Sure I had to wait up to 2 hrs for my app if it was in the afternoon but if i went in the morning i was in then out! He seemed to care and could prescribe me medications (hemeroids) and give me a referral to a bf clinic. I'm not sure if a midwife can do that. I've never even heard of a midwife...I'll have to look into it. From what people are saying they sound good. But I did have a good experience with my OB....even though like someone mentioned I didn't like having a stranger deliver my baby (my dr was on holiday). Oooo so what are you going to do?

@polyq. I just got in With Lucina too. I am really excited! It's actually making me a little anxious just because I really want to deliver at their birth centre and I'm praying for nothing to happen to me from now until delivery. I was reading up about that movie they are showing at u of a. Now sure I'd be able to find a sitter but please tell me how it was!

@polyq. I just got in With Lucina too. I am really excited! It's actually making me a little anxious just because I really want to deliver at their birth centre and I'm praying for nothing to happen to me from now until delivery. I was reading up about that movie they are showing at u of a. Now sure I'd be able to find a sitter but please tell me how it was!

There is only one midwife in all of Nova Scotia. I'm so jealous of other provinces when I hear of the amazing care they are getting from a midwife! Not that i think obs don't give good care here, but without options you don't have a chance to look at alternatives.

There is only one midwife in all of Nova Scotia. I'm so jealous of other provinces when I hear of the amazing care they are getting from a midwife! Not that i think obs don't give good care here, but without options you don't have a chance to look at alternatives.

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